Life made me do it..

This morning I wrote a letter to my non-smoking self and set it to post on Oct 31st. My husband is going in for a procedure at a hospital 2 1/2 hrs away on the morning of the 30th and is expected to stay overnight. I am getting a hotel room for the night before since he has to check in at 5am. I am then spending the 2nd night in the hotel room before I pick him up and take him home on the 31st, so I expect to see that post patiently awaiting me. My husband told me about 45 days ago that he would quit that day. I set Oct 30th as my quit day too, found this group and started reading and making plans. Plans for my last day, plans for when triggers hit and I know I will be successful and become a non smoker. I saw my doctor a couple weeks go, we decided to have me try Chantix. Day 5 started today and I am very pleased with the lack of desire to smoke. A few side effects, but nothing I cannot work with. Break the habits I told myself.

I have, all day. Not one puff. A few times the "urge" hit, but it was a matter of saying NO! to myself, a couple times I grabbed a mint to get me through and others I just occupied myself either cleaning or playing on the computer. I just cleaned up the kitchen and was taking the trash out, letting my dog do her thing and when I came back into the house my husband was just about to step out and join me. By that time I would normally still have half a cigarette to finish. He said "oh your done smoking" I grinned and said "yes, I am done, finished, never lighting a smoke again, done" he then went out to smoke.

I had pretty much told myself earlier today I would be changing my quit day to today. I had the "well what if you just have one more, enjoy it, have the final...." nope I do not need nor want that. Verbally admitting to my husband that I was done was proof enough for me to pop on this site and change my quit date. So life did make me change my quit date and I can honestly say I am an EX smoker as of today and will forever say I am a non-smoker when asked in the future.

Alright. Today is your quit date. This happens, sometimes the moment comes on its own. Thanks for the update. You've prepared, the chantix is working so keep doing what is working. Yes you can, one day at a time.

My husband's doctor offered him Chantix, but he is afraid, he is on so many medications and has a ton of health issues so he has just been cutting back. He has 30 years in AA and plans on working the steps for his nicotine addiction after he quits and is out of the hospital. The last few months he has noticed it is harder to breath after smoking and once his cardiologist said that if the ablation surgery for his A-fib works, and if my husband continues to smoke he can almost guarantee his A-fib will either not go away or come back within a few years. That was his final straw to agree to quitting.

Nine years ago he was having a neck surgery that included a bone graft and his surgeon then said he needed my husband to quit for 3 months. At that time I quit with him, both of us cold turkey for two days shy of three months, but as soon as he got the all clear he picked up smoking again, as did I within a day. That is why I am so grateful for Chantix. Even a bit ago he came outside to smoke while I was out with the dog. His smoking didn't phase me so I know I will be staying on Chantix for awhile until I can develop new habits and routines.

Congratulations on your precious Day One which is your glorious Day WON! N.O.P.E - Not One Puff Ever will give you a beautiful smoke free life because S.I.N.A.O - Smoking Is Not An Option,congrats again and congratulations to your husband on his upcoming quit.

Tabbiekat I understand your husband's reluctance with the chantix...once they get done talking about the side effects, it is terrifying. I hope the ablation goes well, quitting with the 12 Step Program is wonderful because it addresses everything. The physical addiction is nothing in comparison to the psychological addiction but dealing with addiction, no matter what it is...is the same thing. My husband will have 33 years of sobriety in November. He really helped me when I quit, he helped me a lot in the beginning of my quit. He quit smoking almost 28 years ago. It CAN be done.